CHAPTER 22: CHAPTER 22: WE ARE INNOCENT

As a chill spread across my chest, I knew I must be barely clothed, appearing quite indecent.

The instigator, however, seemed unfazed, even wanting to bury his head.

I placed a hand firmly on Henry Preston’s chest, my expression icy and cool, "Are you trying to test me again?"

These words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing much of the desire in Henry’s eyes. He stared at me for a few seconds, then turned back to lie beside me, the entire process quick and indifferent, as if what had just happened was merely an illusion.

I quietly turned to my side, laying back-to-back with Henry, my heart filled with endless melancholy.

Once upon a time, I had thought of seducing Henry, fantasizing about having a child or two with him, living a simple, happy life.

Now my wish was to wait for him to get a divorce and then go our separate ways.

Since I only fell asleep at dawn, I slept until noon before getting up. Upon waking, I found several messages on my phone.

One was from my mother-in-law, informing me that they had to return to City C unexpectedly.

Another was from Leah Lane, asking if I would like to take on a public performance at a concert.

There was also a message from an unknown number. I didn’t know who it was, but the content shocked me — it was a picture of me leading Joel Sutton out of the parking lot last night. From this angle, it looked quite like a couple, although Joel appeared injured and rather pitiful.

I pondered for a minute, searching through all possibilities in my mind. Had I been caught by paparazzi? Or did those three fat guys last night have accomplices who secretly took the photo?

Although my father and husband both have rather special statuses, I have always kept a low profile, especially after marrying Henry. Even Crystal and the others can’t arrange a meeting with me, so how could I have attracted the paparazzi’s attention?

I couldn’t come up with a reasonable explanation, so I simply dialed the unknown number, but it was abruptly disconnected as soon as it connected.

So I had to send a message over: Who is this? Could you tell me your name?

If that photo were to get out, even if Joel and I were innocent, it would still cause misunderstandings among those eager for gossip. I just want to quietly admire handsome guys, without making a high-profile appearance on trending searches.

Very soon, the other party replied with three words: Ivan Underwood.

I almost spat out old blood. Was he at the parking lot last night too? And secretly took a photo of Joel and me?

He had suspected me and Joel when we were at the hospital before, and now even jumping into The Saffron River couldn’t clear my name.

I immediately replied: It is indeed me in the photo, but you must have misunderstood something. How about this, let me treat you to a meal and explain what happened.

Ivan then fell silent, as if his number had turned into a void.

Unable to hold back, I dialed his number again. This time he answered, "Just set a time and place for the meal and let me know."

He was straightforward, as if he had been waiting for me to invite him for a meal.

"Alright." I hung up and after much consideration, decided on The Apex Hotel. Where the misunderstanding happened is where it should be resolved.

Ivan responded with an "okay".

With a nervous heart, I spent most of the day, and by seven in the evening, I had changed and headed to The Apex Hotel, selecting The Peony Room, the highest standard, with a set menu of eighteen dishes.

I didn’t believe that after eating so many dishes, he couldn’t be persuaded by me.

"Miss Hathaway, here is the surveillance video you requested." The hotel manager appeared before me once more, respectfully handing over a USB drive with a copied recording of last night’s parking lot surveillance.

"Thank you." I smiled faintly as I accepted it.

A moment later, Ivan Underwood finally appeared, dressed in a brown shirt, with a refined, clear demeanor.

He sat across from me and got straight to the point, "You may explain now."

"Don’t rush. Let’s talk while we eat." I flashed a smile that I thought appeared calm.

"What is your relationship with Joel Sutton?" Ivan seemed somewhat oblivious to subtleties, sharply questioning rather than following my lead.

I responded softly, "Just friends, no collision, no friendship. I even know his girlfriend!"

Ivan’s expression changed slightly, "He has a girlfriend?"

I nodded, but soon enough he wouldn’t have a girlfriend anymore, and he and Henry would end up vying for the same girl’s affection.

Looking at the unattainable flower before me, then thinking about Henry’s stunning appearance, these two exceptional men could make flowers bloom wherever they went. Yet they would end up facing off over a roadside dandelion; I couldn’t quite imagine that scene.

"Look at this!" Seeing Ivan lost in thought, I quickly connected my phone to the USB drive, displaying the surveillance video before him with confidence, "This angle shows all my interactions with Joel Sutton in the parking lot, as well as what I said. We are innocent!"

Whether we stay that way in the future is another matter.

The angle of Ivan’s photo probably didn’t capture the scene of me confronting the fat guys, and more seemed like he snapped it after Joel and I walked a stretch together, with only traces remaining.

Ivan watched the video intently. I slightly stretched my neck, observing his change in expression.

When he saw me slap the three fat guys, his eyebrow noticeably twitched slightly, a playful glint flashing in his eyes. After watching, he returned the phone to me, "You’re quite bold."

"Hehe, well, I can’t be taken advantage of, can I? After all, I’m Henry Preston’s wife, and my father is also a man of some standing." I chuckled dryly, swiftly putting away my phone.

"Does Henry Preston know Joel Sutton?" Ivan asked again.

In his words, there was an underlying fear of his good buddy being cheated on.

Previously, I only knew that Henry and Ivan were childhood friends, the closest in his circle, but being completely unfamiliar, I had no idea how strong their bond was.

Now I understood, Ivan was exhausting himself over Henry’s marriage.

Yet such a good friend would ultimately face off with him over a woman, becoming sworn enemies. I found it somewhat lamentable.

I shook my head, "No, and it’s not an important friendship. Whether he knows or not is meaningless."

Ivan took a sip of plain water without responding.

I didn’t know if he truly believed me or was pretending, but anyway, he didn’t speak to me again. He tasted two of the eighteen dishes and then left.

"What a waste." Looking at the delectable dishes served one after another, I called the waiter to pack them, then carried several bags of packed meals home.

On the drive back, a certain address suddenly popped into my mind. It was the family address Laura Lawson’s information had listed. They were locals of City A, living at the border of City A and C, although belonging to City A, the prosperity level dropped significantly, and property prices were very low.

Azure Vaughn’s home was slightly better than Joel Sutton’s, who lived in a small town in another province.

With my in-laws returning to City C today, Henry would surely have no more scruples and would try every means to approach Azure. He would easily find Azure’s information, including her family address.

Azure wouldn’t have any part-time jobs these two days, but since it wasn’t yet time for school to start, she should be returning home to rest for a couple of days.

At this thought, I turned the car around and headed to Azure’s neighborhood address.